huffman



S. HUFFNIAN.

Shovl and Tongs.

No. 14.754. Patented Apr`l-22. 1856.

N. PKTERS. PhabLllwgnnher. Wnehingon. DAC.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SAML. HUFFMAN, 0F RICHMOND, VIRGINIA, ASSIGNOR TO SAML. HUFFMAN AND J. D.

BROWNE.

Specication of Letters Patent No. 14,754, dated April 22, 1856.

T 0 all 'whom t may concern Be it known that I, SAMUEL HUFFMAN,

of the city of Richmond, in the county of Henrico and State of Virginia, have invented a new and useful Instrument, which I call a Combined Shovel and Tongs and I hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, making part of this specification, which is a perspective view thereof.

The nature of my invention consists in the within described combination of parts, by which one instrument can be used either as an ordinary fire shovel or as a pair of tongs, at the pleasure of the operator.

The instrument is constructed as follows. I make a pair of tongs as shown in the drawing or in any of theusual forms, but in place of the ordinary jaws I substitute upon the extremity of one leg a Hat late (a) of a suitable form and size to constltute the bottom of a. shovel, and upon the other a quadrilateral flange (b) corresponding in size to the plate (a), upon which it rests when the instrument is closed. The flange b, has its two sides and the end which is attached to the leg at right angles or thereabout to the plate a, when the instrumentis closed but the forward portion lies flat upon a, and is beveled off upon its upper edges so that it may offer no impediment to using the instrument as a shovel, while it will hold al small object between itself and a when tongs are required.

The principal advantages derived from my improvement are economy and convenience, it will not cost so much as a pair of tongs and a shovel of the same quality, and in practice especially with wood fires it is obvious that an instrument like this which combines the usefulness of two others excels in convenience.

Having thus fully described my improvement what I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- The flange and the plate a, when combined with a pair of tongs in the manner described, for the purpose of forming an instrument capable of being used either as shovel or tongs as herein specified.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification before two subscribing witnesses.

SAMUEL HUFFMAN.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM G. YOUNGER, JOHN W. BULLINGTON 

